Is U.S. Health Really the Best
in the World?

You also can read the article in the July 26, 2000 issue at the library.The article is titled, "Is US Health Really the Best in the World?" by Barbara Starfield, MD, MPH.

Here is a quote from the Article:

"The fact is that the US population does not have anywhere near the best health in the world. Of 13 countries in a recent comparison, the United States ranks an average of 12th (second from the bottom) for 16 available health indicators. Countries in order of their average ranking on the health indicators (with the first being the best) are Japan, Sweden, Canada, France, Australia, Spain, Finland, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Denmark, Belgium, the United States, and Germany. Rankings of the United States on the separate indicators are:

• 13th (last) for low-birth-weight percentages
• 13th for neonatal mortality and infant mortality overall
• 11th for post neonatal mortality
• 13th for years of potential life lost (excluding external causes)
• 11th for life expectancy at 1 year for females, 12th for males
• 10th for life expectancy at 15 years for females, 12th for males
• 10th for life expectancy at 40 years for females, 9th for males
• 7th for life expectancy at 65 years for females, 7th for males
• 3rd for life expectancy at 80 years for females, 3rd for males
• 10th for age-adjusted mortality"

The article goes on to say that the iatrogenic (doctor induced) cause of death is the third leading cause of death in the United States right behind heart disease and cancer. Remember this isn't propaganda against doctors or the medical system; it was written by those in that system. It is very enlightening and I very strongly suggest you study it!